Cotswolds V.2.1 - The Comeback

After last autumn's failed attempt to motivate anyone to come out to play, I'm proposing to have another go soon.  I've already re-recced the first leg, and can confirm that it's still there.  Also that the ford is, remarkably, very easily passable despite the wet winter.  The start point is the same (Eynsham roundabout on the A40), the only difference being that it's now a branch of J&S, not Hein Gericke.  See previous thread for a bit more detail on the route etc.

It's just a question of sorting out a date.  I'd like to do it within the next 5-6 weeks if possible.  The coming weekend is out (Easter and family), as is Sunday 18th and Saturday 24th May, but otherwise I'll try to fit it in around the busy schedule of a retired gentleperson.

So, suggestions please.

Bob

That's good news that you are taking the reins again. Hope you get lots of interest Bob.

Cheers
Rosco

I'll be there if my family's social calendar allows. At the moment any date is OK, but that can change so I'll watch and comment as things develop.

I would love to Bob, I've got a lot on in the way of going up north and doing Food festivals in May and June but if I can make the date matey, I will be there.

I am hoping to make this if I can, I'll go with whatever date suits the masses and go from there

dave

I hope to be able to attend this time!! I'm actually going to be spending a lot more time up your way now anyway as I've just accepted a new job in Oxford... I just need to sort out a suitable steed and I should be for your ride out

I look forward to it!

Are you planning on moving up Paul?

Potentially.. all depends on my partner as she currently works in Southampton and enjoys her job, although it's not what she really wants to do. So I'll be putting up with a 120 mile a day commute for the short-term   

Hopefully sold the ace today, just hoping I don't get let down.. Alex has decided to keep the VFR lol , I don't blame him, so I'm now looking for another bike.. could be another cat as they are economical.

Oxford is expensive though!! I may be asking for some advice from some of you lot as to where to look

Oxford is indeed expensive! More than happy to help if I can.

Hopefully the ace sale all goes ok this time for you, I reckon you should get another cat, had a blast on mine at WeeMac this weekend just gone, as for power and all that, rosco leading wasn't bothered too much by the boys on the bigger bikes!

Thanks Dave, the cat is definitely adequate and can be ridden any way... it's more the size thing that I'll struggle to cope with, there's just something about riding a larger model

Good idea, but I can't make either of the dates mentioned. BC6 is early June too, so funding is getting interesting!!

Good on yer Bob for going again with this run. Terrific part of the countryside to be riding around.

Sadly I'm still out of the game otherwise I'd be there too.

Have a blast   

Cheers
Tel

I'll try and make it too depending on the dates (and if you promise no more gravel car parks on slopes.     Thinking of changing my name to Scaredy 'cat - bit more appropriate methinks  )

S

Lone'cat wrote:....and if you promise no more gravel car parks on slopes.    

S

Ah - the car park at Broadway Tower is a bit slopey/gravelly in places - but there's a perfectly good tarmac road outside!  Anyway, it's character-building - and the view is definitely worth it.

So - nobody's yet expressed any preferences as to dates.  How does Saturday 3rd May sound?  I know it's a bank holiday weekend, so I'm happy to move it to a later date if everyone's going to be away and I get a chorus of "Ooh, noo's".

Bob

Ah noooo


Can't do that one! Following week I should be free though!

I'd like to come! It's just dependant on the date as may seems to be a really busy month

Don't seem to be many (any?) takers for 3rd May. How's about the following week, Saturday 10th?

Bob

That's good with me

It's as good as any day for me (until SWMBO decides to arrange something else!).

3rd May I can do - what sort of ride will it be ? Due to a set back in the form of an accident my confidence has gone kerput and I'll be on a different bike than what I'm used to. How longs the route gonna be ? where's the meeting point ? sorry to ask so many questions

JOHNNY D wrote:3rd May I can do - what sort of ride will it be ? Due to a set back in the form of an accident my confidence has gone kerput and I'll be on a different bike than what I'm used to. How longs the route gonna be ? where's the meeting point ? sorry to ask so many questions

Oh, I'd kind of given up on the 3rd as no-one seemed to be able to make that, and moved to the 10th  Is that still OK for you?

As to what sort of ride, well, assuming we have enough people (6 or more - if necessary I'll bring in a few reinforcements from the Yamaha Diversions as last year) we'll use the marker/drop-off system, where the leader puts down the rider immediately behind him at each turn-off point.  A lot simpler than it sounds.  That way there's absolutely no pressure to keep up with anyone, you can (and indeed should) ride at whatever pace you're comfortable with.

The start point is at the J&S bike kit store on the Eynsham roundabout on the A40 - [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] .  The route is about 130 miles, in three stages and including some lovely open roads (almost all without those pesky blanket 50's and including the Charlbury TT and Fish Hill, not to mention plenty of super views and pretty villages.  Oh, and a ford).  But you'd be welcome to leave at e.g the lunch stop at Broadway Tower if you want to get back to Brum early.  I'm planning on finishing mid-afternoon near Burford, though the final stage is still a bit, shall we say, "flexible".

Can't do the 10th :/ but I can do 31st May if that's any use to anyone ? If not I'm sure there'll be plenty opportunity to do others.... don't want to get in the way and have others not be able to go because I can't

Charlbury TT is a cracker!

I'm happy to go with the majority at the moment, 10th is ok for me assuming I can put my bike back together in time!! Will give me an opportunity to explore the area as I'm due to start the new role in Oxford on the 12th

OK, looks like we have enough support for Saturday 10th, so we'll firm up on that date.

Meet at 09:45 for a briefing and 10:00 departure at J&S Oxford branch (link in previous post). Petrol available there - there aren't many opportunities on the rest of the route, so please make sure you're filled up before we start.

First leg is the longest (about 50 miles) so I'm aiming to get to the coffee/cake stop at 11:30, then on to lunch around 12:45.

See you there!